Monday, July 6
Where in Washington can you find cheap Mexican food and an appreciation of useless knowledge? At 51st State Tavern’s Tacos & Trivia night. Round up the after-work crew for 50-cent shells and $3 Buds while competing for prizes in the bar’s weekly question session. The games begin at 7 PM. Call 202-625-2444 for more information.

Tuesday, July 7
Curious to see DC’s Adams Morgan without the haze of cheap beer and 3 AM jumbo slice? Today is the perfect time—the Adams Morgan Mainstreet Group offers “shop and dine” discounts the first Tuesday of every month. Grab food and drink for two for $25 at participating restaurants such as LeftBank and the Grill From Ipanema, then spend of the rest of the evening strolling through stores such as Meeps Vintage for 10 to 30 percent off select items. Visit adamsmorgannow.com for more information.

Wednesday, July 8
Asparagus is on the menu tonight at Zola Wine & Kitchen (505 Ninth St., NW). Learn how to incorporate the summery spears into your cooking through a hands-on class, then settle into a meal of roasted asparagus, chilled asparagus soup, and asparagus risotto, rounded out by a complimentary glass of wine. The class, which costs $50 per person, begins at 6:30. Click here to buy tickets.

Thursday, July 9
Join the Chefs of the French International Culinary Society for Red, White, and Brut!, a party marking the weeklong culinary celebration around Bastille Day. Meet chefs such as Michel Richard of Citronelle and Central, Bastille’s Christophe Poteaux, and La Chaumière’s Patrick Orange, and sample their food while sipping on Moët & Chandon. The event runs from 5 to 9 at the Washington Club. Also on the program are live jazz, a book signing by L’Auberge Chez François chef Jacques Haeringer, and a silent auction benefiting the FICS culinary education program. Tickets, available here, are $65 for members and $75 for nonmembers. If you’re looking to extend la célébration française, a full list of Washington restaurants offering special menus is available here.

Friday, July 10
For those transfixed by late-night knife infomercials (you know the ones we’re talking about), Hill’s Kitchen (713 D St., SE; 202-543-1997) is offering a basic knife-skills class, which covers everything from proper tool selection to cutting techniques. You can get some practice with the house-provided Mac knives. The class, which costs $35 per person, runs from 6:30 to 8. To reserve a space, e-mail events@hillskitchen.com with “Basic Knife Skills Friday July 10” as the subject line.

Saturday, July 11
Get into the summer spirit at Butler’s Orchard with Mosaic Cuisine & Cafe’s Dinner Under the Stars. Summer-themed cocktails such as white-peach sangria will be served from 6 to 7. A three-course dinner made with local ingredients follows. Space is limited, and seating is picnic-table style. Call 301-468-0682 or e-mail tjugnet@mosaiccuisine.com to nab spots for you and your friends; $69 per person.

Sunday, July 12
Avant-garde-food fans will appreciate the Capital Fringe Festival’s Tactile Dinner. Part meal, part performance art, this “futurist degustation” features seven courses for the ears, eyes, nose, palate, and fingertips. Diners will be loaned “tactilist” pajamas for the evening, which takes place at the Arthur S. Flemming Center (1426 Ninth St., NW). Performances are scheduled for 3, 6:15, and 8. The event also runs July 11 at 7 and 9:15; July 13 at 7:30; and July 19 at 4 and 7:30. To buy tickets ($15), click here. You can get more information by e-mailing info@banishedproductions.org.

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